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NHL Playoffs 2017: 5 reasons Capitals can win Stanley Cup

By Dave Stevenson

Mar 28, 2017; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin (8) celebrates his goal against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. The Capitals defeated the Wild 5-4 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 28, 2017; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin (8) celebrates his goal against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. The Capitals defeated the Wild 5-4 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Is this the Washington Capitals year? Yes it is. Here are five reasons the Caps have what it takes to bring a Stanley Cup to the nation’s capitol. 

No team has more postseason failures than the Washington Capitals. They’ve never won a Stanley Cup despite having some very talented teams. Their lone Stanley Cup Final appearance came nearly 20 years ago when Esa Tikkanen unofficially started the DC sports curse. Since the Washington Redskins won the Super Bowl in 1991, no major pro team in the nation’s capitol has won a championship. However, these Caps are different from teams in the past.

For the second consecutive season and third time in franchise history, the Capitals won the President’s Trophy. While it might seem meaningless, it’s far from it. Being the best team in hockey for six months is not an easy task. The Caps should be proud to have won it. But do they have what it takes to become the first President’s Trophy winner to win the Stanley Cup since the 2012-13 Chicago Blackhawks? Yes, they do. Here are five reasons why.

5. Momentum

Last season, the Caps clinched the top spot in the Eastern Conference with seven games left. They proceeded to coast into the postseason. One could argue they were coasting since roughly January. However, these Capitals had to wait until after game 80 to clinch. The Pittsburgh Penguins and Columbus Blue Jackets gave them competition. Washington should be better off for it. It has forced them to be at the top of their game and stay focused. Winning the Metropolitan Division was a goal for the team from day one and the Caps achieved it.

Braden Holtby hasn’t lost a regulation game to the Eastern Conference in 2017. The Caps have the most points in the NHL since New Year’s along with the best goal differential. Washington will enter the postseason on a huge roll, which should significantly help their chances.

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